Robert De Niro
The actor who brought Scorsese's most intense characters to life, from Travis Bickle to Jake LaMotta.
Robert De Niro is an American actor who has made ten feature films and one short film with director Martin Scorsese since 1973. Many of their collaborations are often ranked among the greatest films of all time. De Niro was introduced to Scorsese by Brian De Palma, who had known De Niro for several years. De Niro's first film role with De Palma was in 1963's The Wedding Party, though it was not released until 1969. He and De Palma reunited for the 1968 film Greetings, which was De Niro's official film debut. Their first collaboration, Mean Streets (1973), was a success and was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 1997. De Niro won an Oscar for his role in Raging Bull (1980), and the film has been considered one of the greatest films of all time, chosen as the best sports film ever by the American Film Institute.
- Most Iconic Role
- Travis Bickle / Jimmy Conway
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
De Niro and Scorsese's partnership began with Mean Streets in 1973, a gangster film about a small-time gangster living in Little Italy. The film was a success and was later selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. In Taxi Driver (1976), De Niro's character Travis Bickle spoke the line "You talkin' to me?", which has become one of the most famous lines in film history. Scorsese makes a credited cameo in that film as a passenger. For New York, New York (1977), a musical-drama, De Niro starred alongside Liza Minnelli. The film was a box-office failure, grossing only $13 million against a $14 million budget. In Raging Bull (1980), De Niro played emotionally self-destructive boxer Jake LaMotta, winning an Oscar for his role. The film received six other Oscar nominations and was named the best sports film ever by the American Film Institute. In The King of Comedy (1982), De Niro played aspiring comic Rupert Pupkin, who stalks a late night talk show host. The film won a BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay and was nominated for four other BAFTAs, including Best Actor for De Niro. Goodfellas (1990) starred De Niro alongside Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci, following Henry Hill through the mob. It won five BAFTAs and was named the greatest film of all time by British magazine Total Film in 2005. In Cape Fear (1991), De Niro played a convicted rapist who stalks the family of his defense lawyer. Casino (1995) reunited De Niro, Scorsese, and Pesci, revolving around greed and murder in a gambling empire. The Audition (2015) was a short film that served as a promotional piece for casinos, uniting De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio for the first time under Scorsese's direction. The Irishman (2019) starred De Niro as Frank Sheeran, a labor union leader and alleged hitman, alongside Al Pacino and Joe Pesci. Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) was confirmed to star De Niro alongside DiCaprio in summer 2019, with shooting beginning in April 2021.
In Their Own Story
In 1973, De Niro had been praised for his role in Bang the Drum Slowly while Scorsese had been working as an editor on Woodstock. That same year, they collaborated for the first time on Mean Streets. The film, about a small-time gangster in Little Italy, was a success. In 1976, Taxi Driver caused controversy but had significant cultural impact. The line "You talkin' to me?" became one of the most famous in film history. In 1977, New York, New York was a box-office failure, grossing only $13 million against its $14 million budget. In 1980, Raging Bull won De Niro an Oscar and was named the best sports film ever by the American Film Institute. In 1982, The King of Comedy was praised by critics but did not perform well in the United States. In 1990, Goodfellas won five BAFTAs and was named the greatest film of all time by Total Film in 2005. In 1991, Cape Fear was nominated for two Oscars and two BAFTAs. In 1995, Casino received critical acclaim, with Sharon Stone earning an Oscar nomination. In 2015, The Audition was a short film promoting casinos. In 2019, The Irishman marked the first time Al Pacino was directed by Scorsese. In 2023, Killers of the Flower Moon began shooting in April 2021.
Reader's Guide
De Niro and Scorsese have made ten feature films and one short film together since 1973. Their collaborations include Mean Streets (1973), Taxi Driver (1976), New York, New York (1977), Raging Bull (1980), The King of Comedy (1982), Goodfellas (1990), Cape Fear (1991), Casino (1995), The Irishman (2019), and Killers of the Flower Moon (2023), plus the short film The Audition (2015). De Niro won an Oscar for Raging Bull. Goodfellas was named the greatest film of all time by Total Film in 2005. Raging Bull was chosen as the best sports film ever by the American Film Institute. De Niro and Scorsese also both lent their voices to the 2004 animated film Shark Tale, with De Niro voicing Don Lino and Scorsese voicing Sykes. They co-starred in Irwin Winkler's 1991 film Guilty by Suspicion. Scorsese produced Mad Dog and Glory (1993) starring De Niro, and executive produced The Family (2013) also starring De Niro, bringing the total number of films on which both have worked to fifteen.
Did You Know?
- De Niro's first film role was in The Wedding Party (1963), but it was not released until 1969.
- The line 'You talkin' to me?' from Taxi Driver has become one of the most famous lines in film history.
- New York, New York (1977) was a box-office failure, grossing only $13 million against a $14 million budget.
- Goodfellas was named the greatest film of all time by British magazine Total Film in 2005.
- De Niro and Scorsese both voiced characters in the 2004 animated film Shark Tale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Robert De Niro in relation to Scorsese?
He is the director's most frequent acting partner, having appeared in twelve feature films together since their debut in Mean Streets. This long-standing relationship has redefined American cinema through shared themes of crime and morality.
What are his most iconic roles with Scorsese?
His celebrated performances include Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull and Jimmy Conway in Goodfellas, showcasing his ability to embody complex antiheroes. He also starred as Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver, a role that cemented the gritty tone of their partnership.
Where does their work primarily take place?
The majority of their films are set within New York City and its criminal underworlds, reflecting De Niro's roots as an actor from that environment. This urban landscape serves as a crucial character in stories exploring violence and the American Dream.
How does he approach his acting style?
De Niro utilizes method acting techniques to achieve intense character immersion, often gaining or losing weight for roles like Jake LaMotta. This dedication provides the gritty realism necessary to anchor Scorsese's darker narratives.
Is their collaboration still ongoing?
Yes, Robert De Niro remains an active collaborator with Martin Scorsese over five decades after they first worked together. Their continued partnership ensures that new generations experience the unique chemistry established in their earlier films.
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